Day 239 – Ezekiel 1-4

Talking Points

• Ezekiel has a ministry to the exiles in Babylon. God sends His Word, even knowing the rebellious people will not listen. No matter our response to it, God’s Word is truth, and sending His warning is a great act of grace even to those who will reject it.
• Notice the duty of God’s prophet. First, they are called and commissioned by God. Ezekiel’s call was nothing short of astonishing. Second, they are not to just repeat the message, they are to take in and be filled with God’s Word. “Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll…” (Ezekiel 3:1). The spokesman himself is to be impacted by the Word they will deliver: “take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you” (3:10). Last, the prophet is to carefully and clearly proclaim the exact message of God’s Word. There is a stewardship and grave responsibility to be faithful to speak as God directs. The prophet bears guilt for an undelivered message.
• Ezekiel was responsible for warning the people, but each person was personally responsible for turning from their sin.
• In chapter four, Ezekiel is required to carry out a strange act to relay God’s message symbolically. Ezekiel was to lie on his left side for 390 days and his right for 40 days. Imagine the hardship and inconvenience endured by the prophet for God’s message to be known to the people.

Thoughts

God speaks. Both before and during His judgment on Israel for their centuries of persistent idolatry, God sent His prophets. He reminded His people of His holiness, His power, His presence, His knowledge, His goodness, His compassions, and His promises for the future. In their exile, God wanted them to remember these truths about His character. He sends Ezekiel as His spokesman.

But, why? Why speak to people who have rebelled for so long? Why try to get through to people who’ve ignored, hated, and persecuted the prophets before this one? Why send another man to speak to hard hearts, to try and convince them to turn to You?

It’s because God knows. He knows His ways are best, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. He knows His character is trustworthy, no matter how long we’ve chosen less than. He knows rebellious hearts need to hear of their offenses against a holy God and to hear of the hope of redemption, restoration, and compassion. He knows the best thing would still be for people to turn to Him.

And, so, God speaks. He sends His Word. Are we listening?